LDS Political Identity

LDS Political Identity

                This is an exciting election year for the LDS community. Mormon candidate Mitt Romney and his race in the presidential election have brought a spot light on the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Being the nominee of the Republican Party, do his conservative views represent the political identity of the members of the LDS church?

                Recently at a regional stake conference, one of the representatives of the LDS church Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the twelve apostles stated the church’s view on political situations “we do not direct our members on which candidates or parties they should support. We encourage our members to be responsible citizens in their communities, to participate in the political process in an informed manner, and by all means to vote.” Although the church steers clear of any political position, it can’t be ignored that a larger majority of its members share the same political identity. Political identity is “any identity that significantly shapes our political decisions” (Hawkins). In the last presidential election a study by Trinity college showed that 59% of all Mormon voters prefer the republican party. (Gerke). What causes this preference of conservative views? Our religious values and doctrine.

                As members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints we share a core set of values  and doctrine founded upon the gospel of Jesus Christ. These values are found in the Holy Scriptures, the Articles of Faith, and revelation from God given to living prophets and apostles. Many of our values and beliefs conflict with present U.S. legislature and culture for example same-sex marriage and pro-choice abortion rights. As Latter Day Saints we are encouraged to be politically active and it is a result of our identity or the way we categorize ourselves as followers of Jesus Christ that determines our political decisions. In a recent church fireside Elder Jeffrey R. Holland confirms our LDS political identity how we should vote and stand on issues. “in a democratic society, it can be very challenging and, to some, confusing. Young people may ask about this position taken or that policy made by the Church, saying: “Well, we don’t believe we should live or behave in such and such a way, but why do we have to make other people do the same? Don’t they have their free agency? Aren’t we being self-righteous and judgmental, forcing our beliefs on others, demanding that they act in a certain way?” In those situations you are going to have to explain sensitively why some principles are defended and some sins opposed wherever they are found because the issues and the laws involved are not just social or political but eternal in their consequence. And while not wishing to offend those who believe differently from us, we are even more anxious not to offend God, or as the scripture says, “not offend him who is your lawgiver and I am speaking here of serious moral laws” (Holland). This statement gives reason to why LDS members hold more conservative views.

                Both Primordialism and Constructivism best explains LDS political identity. Primordialism is an approach to understanding identity which assumes that identities are something people are born with or that emerge through deep psychological processes in early child, given one’s family and community context (Samuels).  Constuctivism is the approach to understanding identity is, which assumes that political identities are malleable and anything can become politicized (Hawkins). The habits and culture that LDS members form from being raised in an LDS environment and living gospel standards can support the argument of primordialism that are roots and family have a large impact on our political identity. However it is our personal testimonies of the gospel of Jesus Christ that ultimately affects our political identity giving reason to an approach of constructivism.
In conclusion we see that LDS political identity favors conservative idealism  as a result of our religious values and doctrine. It is an act of our faith by which we actively engage in political matters. And its both the primordialism of our heritage in combination with constructivism of our testimonies that explain our identity.

Rerferences

Samuels, David J. Comparative Politics. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Pearson Education, 2013.

Gehrke, R. (2011, December 14) Survey: Mormons embrace GOP, shun democrats. Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved from http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/home2/53110048-183/mormons-utah-lds-party.html.csp

Professor Hawkins. 2012, October 10. Political Identity

Holland, Jeffrey R. "Israel, Israel, God Is Calling." Israel, Israel, God Is Calling. N.p., Sept. 2012. Web. 12 Oct. 2012. <http://www.lds.org/broadcasts/article/print/ces-devotionals/2012/01/israel-israel-god-is-calling?lang=eng>.